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1943
Bryan Army Air Field, six miles west of Bryan, was activated as an instructors' school for standardizing a system of instrument flying.
1947
The US Army and US Air Force separate, and Bryan Army Air Field becomes Bryan Air Force Base, Bryan AAF. It would be deactivated in May 1961.
1962
Bryan AAF is deeded to the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (now Texas A&M University). 1,991 acres are handed over; the site is operated as A&M Research and Extension Center.
1964
TTI opens a research laboratory at the Texas A&M Research and Development Annex, with numerous buildings, 250 acres of concrete runways and taxiways, and nearly 2,000 acres of open space for testing.
1964
A major development early in TTI crash testing was the breakaway sign. This technology allowed a vehicle to impact a sign and pass safely underneath.
1965
The first documented case of a life saved by TTI crash testing technology. In September a driver skids into an "EXIT" sign on IH-10 near Beaumont. Less than 24 hours before the accident a breakaway sign support had been installed, likely saving this driver's life.
1968
TTI develops the first cushion technology, the 55-gallon drum, or barrel crash cushion. The importance of this first-ever crash cushion cannot be overstated, as vehicles that otherwise would have smashed into bridge supports were more safely brought to a non-lethal stop.
1973
Researchers took advantage of a rare snowfall to test skidding and stopping distances under icy conditions. These studies proved so successful that in 1978, FHWA established the Central/Western Field Test Center at the Annex..
1978
Prior to this time period, crash testing of bridge rails was not widespread. TTI researchers pioneered design and testing criteria throughout this era, and some of the first bridge rails were designed and tested for heavy trucks.
1984
TTI researchers proved the inaccuracy of a 20-year-old myth-that truck tires do not hydroplane. The test trailer "Myth Buster No. 1" was constructed to provide vital information in understanding truck-trailer loss of control in wet weather.
1988
ET-2000 — (Extruder Terminal - 2000) was designed, developed and tested by researchers at the Texas Transportation Institute. This yellow-and-black-striped device, seen nationwide on the end of guardrails, is saving lives across the country by bringing vehicles which impact the end of a guardrail to a controlled stop. There are over 200,000 ETs in use across America.
1991
TTI develops a low profile portable concrete barrier that is especially well suited for two-way traffic. This barrier, some 12 inches shorter than the previous standard, allows drivers a greater field of vision. The barrier's shape, somewhat larger at the base, is designed to reduce the tendency for a vehicle to vault through the air on impact with the barrier.
2002
New Terminal for cable/wire/rope guardrail—currently licensed to two companies, this innovative terminal system allows posts along a roadway to safely break over and release the cable rather than vaulting errant vehicles.
2001 - Today
Homeland Security—now represents fully one-quarter of crash test research at TTI. The U.S. Department of State and other governmental departments have asked TTI to evaluate anti-ram walls, bollards, gates, nets, and other means of protecting embassies and other buildings from the threat of vehicle bombs.
